Winter tyres?

skiddlydiddly

Lum wrote: »

If you're planning to do that, here is a useful site

http://www.alloywheels.com/fitmentguide.asp

You need to get wheels with the same PCD and offset as your car, and the bore size needs to be at least as big as the original bore size for your car. If you get a bigger bore size, you'll need to buy an adaptor called a "spigot ring" to bring the hole down to the correct size, though can get away without this if they are fitted carefully.

Since you say it's new and you've never changed the tyres I'm presuming the car is from 2005 or newer in which case the sizes are:

PCD: 4x100
Offset: 35 - 42
Bore: 54.1

I actually have a set of 4 16" BK Racing allow wheels that would fit that car. They're somewhat scruffy and curbed but work fine. I bought them last Februrary to use as winter wheels, they were sold as being multifit 4x100 and 4x114.3 but they are actually 4x100 and 4x108. My car needs 4x114.3. They come with both wheel nuts and wheel studs, and spigot rings suitable for a Honda. I'm looking for about £100 for them.

Most 90s vauxhall, renault, nissan and rover wheels are that size.The offset might be a bit different though.

Lum

Anyone want them then, since they fit so many cars?

They're just taking up space in my shed.

4x108 will fit modern Fords too

Any

Arfa__ wrote: »

I've also got a Zafira, which is front wheel drive. If I was to put winter tyres on, is it essential to get winter tyres on all 4 wheels? Or could I just put them on the front pair and still get reasonable benefit?

Also been discussed here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2892404

jud!th

thanks all for advice - have read reviews of snow socks, noticed that a neighbour's got some, and ordered a pair.

wuckfit

I've got an Octavia, which came with 17" alloys, and 225/45 profile tyres. I've fitted 16" 205/55 winter tyres. Or, rather, the Skoda dealer in Broxburn, W.Lothian sold me the package of OEM rims and tyres. Also, they will swap the wheels twice a year and store the set that's off the car for me. My insurance co, also, do NOT view this as a modification to the vehicle and will not be charging me extra.

Winter tyres have transformed my car from being unable to reverse up a dropped kerb into my driveway in snow into a car that can drive up the hill in my street where many others are just sitting spinning their wheels. I have to laugh at the 'expert' on this thread who thinks they're of no benefit whatsoever.
It's still possible to slide on winter tyres, but they're much more forgiving of any errors you might make - such as being in the wrong gear, or too heavy on one of the pedals. I did some experiments in fresh snow to see how much more grippy they are and the only way I can describe it is like performing rally-slides in slow motion. They are much better at regaining grip than normal ' summer' tyres are.

Winter, or M+S marked (Mud + Snow) tyres are made of a softer compound and work best below 7 degrees C. which is why they need changed again in spring. they offer more grip on icy roads, so are not just for snow.

In short anyone who thinks that they can drive in any conditions on normal, or 'summer' tyres is deluding themselves, and ultimately will block the road for those of us who HAVE prepared for wintery conditions and fitted appropriate tyres for the conditions. Or have an accident through loss of control of the vehicle.

marlot

Just to say M+S is a tread pattern, and does not signify a winter tyre (though it could be M+S and a winter tyre). You need to look for the snowflake symbol.

sunshinetours

wuckfit wrote: »

I've got an Octavia, which came with 17" alloys, and 225/45 profile tyres. I've fitted 16" 205/55 winter tyres. Or, rather, the Skoda dealer in Broxburn, W.Lothian sold me the package of OEM rims and tyres. Also, they will swap the wheels twice a year and store the set that's off the car for me. My insurance co, also, do NOT view this as a modification to the vehicle and will not be charging me extra.

Winter tyres have transformed my car from being unable to reverse up a dropped kerb into my driveway in snow into a car that can drive up the hill in my street where many others are just sitting spinning their wheels. I have to laugh at the 'expert' on this thread who thinks they're of no benefit whatsoever.
It's still possible to slide on winter tyres, but they're much more forgiving of any errors you might make - such as being in the wrong gear, or too heavy on one of the pedals. I did some experiments in fresh snow to see how much more grippy they are and the only way I can describe it is like performing rally-slides in slow motion. They are much better at regaining grip than normal ' summer' tyres are.

Winter, or M+S marked (Mud + Snow) tyres are made of a softer compound and work best below 7 degrees C. which is why they need changed again in spring. they offer more grip on icy roads, so are not just for snow.

In short anyone who thinks that they can drive in any conditions on normal, or 'summer' tyres is deluding themselves, and ultimately will block the road for those of us who HAVE prepared for wintery conditions and fitted appropriate tyres for the conditions. Or have an accident through loss of control of the vehicle.

In fairness there are people who are plenty capable of driving safely on regular summer or all season tyres in wintry conditions but also there are plenty who aren't. Its the difference these tyres make to those who aren't, that probably will benefit us all

You are right how they transform a car though!

mikey72

marlot wrote: »

Just to say M+S is a tread pattern, and does not signify a winter tyre (though it could be M+S and a winter tyre). You need to look for the snowflake symbol.

Quite right, there's a good article here.

mikey72

sunshinetours wrote: »

In fairness there are people who are plenty capable of driving safely on regular summer or all season tyres in wintry conditions but also there are plenty who aren't. Its the difference these tyres make to those who aren't, that probably will benefit us all

You are right how they transform a car though!

I don't agree, the tyres make an unbelievable difference even if you can drive in winter. Gravity and ice stopped me getting up my drive without clearing it, it doesn't this year.

sunshinetours

mikey72 wrote: »

I don't agree, the tyres make an unbelievable difference even if you can drive in winter. Gravity and ice stopped me getting up my drive without clearing it, it doesn't this year.

Absolutely they make a huge difference as I said. There are plenty of experienced winter drivers who would still drive safely without them though. I don't doubt tehy would drive even better with winters but that doesn't mean they are unsafe without

I am a huge convert now having tried them as otehr psots will testify but not everyone drives a low profiled heavy powerful rear wheel drive car - think we just need to keep things in perspective despite how good they are!